Bingo style travel game

ABSTRACT

A Bingo-style game intended for use by travelers that is capable of being played while the travelers are moving while in, for example, an automobile, train or airplane. The game can also be played by travelers on foot, for example, during a walking tour of Paris. The game is constructed from a single sheet of paper, which can be of any suitable size, which is double-sided and folded in such a way as to resemble a map. The game incorporates several game sheets that can include perforations along the folds so that the sheets can be individually separated. The game is a self-contained unit and comes with everything needed to play, including rules, except for a pen or pencil or other writing utensil. The game is intended for one use only and can then be discarded.

The present invention relates to the general field of games and in particular those games intended to engage and entertain travelers, both children and adults. More specifically, the present invention relates to Bingo-style games and the materials and rules used in such games.

For those people who travel in groups, for example, a group of adults or a family that includes both adults and children, it is often desirable for the members of these groups to engage in activities that can potentially alleviate the boredom often experienced by people as they travel. Such boredom is especially widespread among children when trapped, for example, in an automobile or airplane for an extended period of time. Advances in technology in the past decade have made it possible to incorporate DVD players into the confines of the car in order to occupy the attention of its occupants particularly children. However, these DVD players can carry a hefty price tag and parents often feel that such methods are detrimental for their child as they are simply being entertained and not engaged. These parents, as well as anyone else traveling with a group, would be especially appreciative of a simple and informative game that could be enjoyed by the members of the group. Such a game would necessarily be highly portable and enjoyable to those of all age groups.

Travel games in general are not new. There are of course numerous games in existence today that seek to be simple and enjoyable while at the same time being highly portable. Several of these games designed for travel are in fact various embodiments of a Bingo-type game. Examples of travel and Bingo-style games disclosed and claimed in U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications are as follows: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,495,700; 4,084,823; 4,139,270; 4,373,722; US2005/0098950.

However, none of the games disclosed in these patents/applications, nor any game applicant has been made aware of, meet all of the above identified criteria satisfactorily. The area where this is most evident is in that of portability. Most games are by their very nature portable. However, a game desired to be played by those who would seek to play it while traveling must be highly portable and capable of safe use in an area where mobility and space may be significantly limited. Such a game would also be capable of use while players are themselves moving, for example, on a walking tour of the sites in London. A thorough survey of the art makes it clear that there still exists a need for a travel game that satisfies these conditions, that is, a game that is simple and informative, while at the same time being both highly portable and capable of grasping and holding the attention of the players.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a unique and interesting game that is especially suited for travelers, for use during travel, such as while occupying an automobile, train, airplane or other means of travel, as well as for use while sightseeing, that draws the attention of the travelers to passing sights to educate them as to various objects, animals, geographical sights and the like thus making trips more interesting and enjoyable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game sheet which, rather than being marked or completed when a particular number and/or letter is called, instead intends that the squares of this game be marked by the player with a pen or pencil each time an indicia listed or photograph displayed inside a square is sighted by the player.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which has a point structure, which permits the giving of multiple prizes, rather than (or in addition to) a single prize award based on the first person to reach Bingo.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which can be used by more than one person who are not necessarily in the same location at the same time, for example, persons traveling in different automobiles to the same end destination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which utilizes game sheets of a convenient size and shape that are inexpensive to manufacture due to their simple construction and are disposable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game, which utilizes game sheets with perforations for ease in detaching each game sheet yet integrally form a travel brochure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a game which features an alternative award structure where the judge(s) is encouraged to be creative in awarding prizes to guarantee each player wins. Award sheets are included, to be completed and awarded by the judge(s).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the invention being formed in a foldable roadmap like manner.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the Rules of the Invention Sheet.

FIGS. 3 through 7 are plan views of an assortment of game sheets of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an award sheet used in the present invention.

Referring specifically to the drawings, it can be readily seen that Bingo style sheets are employed with the present invention game. The sheets contain one or more squares, preferably a grid of five squares high by five squares wide, that themselves do not contain numbers, letters or blank spaces, but instead include indicia, including, by way of example, photographs, drawn pictures or wording that depict or describe places and/or things for the player(s) to find. In many cases, the various depictions will only indicate a general item to be found, for example, a clock. However, in some instances a specific item will be depicted, for example, Big Ben. On the back of each sheet there is an award sheet (FIG. 8).

Each game brochure 10 is a self-contained unit, consisting of a single, double-sided sheet that has been folded in a manner similar to that of a map. Also, the game brochure 10 incorporates several game sheets 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, formed together. The sheet can, but must not necessarily, have perforations 17 along the folds so that the individual game sheets 22-26 can be detached from the game brochure 10. Once a game has been played and is completed, the entire game brochure 10, which is intended for one-time use, can be discarded. As stated, the game brochure 10 is a self-contained unit and includes everything needed to play the game except a pencil, pen or other writing utensil.

The present invention game is played according to the Rules sheet 21 as generally set out in FIG. 2. Rather than being marked or completed when a particular number and/or letter is called (as in a more traditional Bingo game), the squares on one of the present invention's game sheets (FIGS. 3-7 for example), are marked with a pen or pencil when something has been sighted by the player that is depicted by the indicia 11 b that is contained within a square. The game has a point structure that permits the giving of multiple prizes rather than (or in addition) a single prize awarded based on the first person to reach Bingo. This facilitates use of the game by persons who are not necessarily in the same location at the same time, for example, persons traveling in different automobiles to the same end destination. Participants may look at their brochure just before getting on the road and may play until reaching their final destination.

In general, the rules of the game include the following features:

-   -   a. A point structure:         -   i. points are given for each square marked;         -   ii. points are given for each Bingo (5 squares marked in a             row horizontally, vertically or diagonally); and         -   iii. points are given for the most Bingos.     -   b. The game features an additional award structure and the         judge(s) are encouraged to be creative in awarding prizes to         guarantee each player wins. Award sheets (FIG. 8) are included         and are to be completed and awarded by the judge(s). Awards are         given not only for the most total points, but are also based         upon:     -   i. multiple sightings of any item on the game sheet (most         sightings) of one or all items, for example;     -   ii. actual evidence, such as a photograph, of any item on the         sheet (“most unique evidence” and/or “most evidence” for         example); and     -   iii. locating additional designated items not depicted on the         sheets but specified in the rules (“oldest political candidate         bumper sticker”, “license plate from the farthest state”, etc.).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the game cover sheet 16 of brochure 10 has a title or advertising printed on the face thereof. The back 21 of game cover sheet 16 would have the Rules (FIG. 2) printed thereon. Sheet 22 would have game 11 a printed on the face thereof and award sheet 15 (FIG. 8) printed on the back thereof. Sheet 23 would have game 12 a printed on the face thereof and award sheet 12 (FIG. 8) printed on the back thereof. Sheet 24 would have game 13 a printed on the face thereof and award sheet 14 (FIG. 8) printed on the back thereof. Sheet 25 would have game 14 a printed on the face thereof and award sheet 11 (FIG. 8) printed on the back thereof. Game sheet 26 would have game 15 a printed on the face thereof and award sheet 13 (FIG. 8) printed on the back thereof. As previously mentioned, all of sheets 22-26 can be formed from a single sheet or each sheet can have perforations 17 thus allowing separation of each sheet from the other.

The invention sheets can also be produced as regional versions and/or versions suited to airports. In the various regional versions, the indicia present on the sheets would correspond to the desired regions. For example, in London one indicia may be Big Ben, whereas in Paris, an indicia might be the Eiffel Tower. In the airport version, the various indicia might possibly include things that people could see within an airport, for example, a yellow suitcase or a particular restaurant. Such a version would be immensely popular with parents of young children who have had their flight unexpectedly delayed as they would have a quick, inexpensive way to entertain and educate their children. Also, cruise ship versions, resort versions, and advertising versions offer variations of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises:

-   -   (a) a sheet having a first side and a second side, said sheet         adapted to being folded, creating a game brochure with multiple         internal and external pages, wherein said internal pages are on         said first side and said external pages and front and back         covers are on said second side and the first and last of said         external pages are a front cover and a back cover;     -   (b) multiple game sheets printed on said internal pages;     -   (c) multiple award sheets printed on said external pages; and     -   (d) a set of rules printed on said back cover of said game         brochure.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises:

-   -   (a) a game brochure, having a first side and a second side,         wherein said brochure comprises one or more folds creating two         or more pages, said two or more pages each having an interior         and exterior face;     -   (b) one or more game sheets printed on said interior face of a         page, wherein said game sheet comprises a plurality of squares,         each square having indicia contained therein;     -   (c) one or more award sheets printed on said exterior face of a         page; and     -   (d) a set of rules governing play of the game, wherein a player         marks a square upon sighting an indicia described within a         square.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises:

-   -   (a) a game brochure, having a first side and a second side,         wherein said brochure comprises a plurality of folds creating a         plurality of pages, each page having an interior and exterior         face, wherein said interior face is located on said first side         and said exterior face is located on said second side;     -   (b) one or more game sheets printed on said interior face of a         page, wherein said game sheet comprises a grid of five squares         wide by five squares high, each square having indicia contained         therein;     -   (c) one or more award sheets printed on said exterior face of a         page; and     -   (d) a set of rules governing play of the game, wherein a player         marks a square upon sighting the indicia contained within the         square, the player receiving a point for each marked square and         an additional point for marking five squares having a character         selected from the group consisting of a row, a column, or         diagonally, wherein the player receives the award noted on the         award sheet upon acquiring a predetermined amount of points.

It will of course be understood that while the invention has been particularly shown and described, there may exist various modifications that might be made by those skilled in the art, including modifications in form and detail, which will not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A game, comprising: (a) a sheet having a first side and a second side, said sheet adapted to being folded, creating a game brochure with multiple internal and external pages, wherein said internal pages are on said first side and said external pages and front and back covers are on said second side and the first and last of said external pages are a front cover and a back cover; (b) multiple game sheets printed on said internal pages; (c) multiple award sheets printed on said external pages; and (d) a set of rules printed on said back cover of said game brochure.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein two of said game sheets are printed on each of said internal pages oriented such that one of said game sheets is above a second of said game sheets
 3. The game of claim 1 wherein two of said award sheets are printed on each of said external pages and are oriented such that said award sheets are printed effectively on the back of said game sheets printed on said internal pages
 4. The game of claim 1 wherein said game brochure has perforations so that the pages may be detached.
 5. The game of claim 1 wherein each of said game sheets is detachable from said game brochure.
 6. The game of claim 1 wherein each of said game sheets is unique.
 7. The game of claim 1 wherein each of said game sheets consists of twenty-five squares in a 5×5 pattern and each of said squares has a predetermined indicia on it.
 8. The game of claim 5 wherein each of said predetermined indicia are related to a specific location.
 9. A bingo-style travel game comprising: (a) a game brochure, having a first side and a second side, wherein said brochure comprises one or more folds creating two or more pages, said two or more pages each having an interior and exterior face; (b) one or more game sheets printed on said interior face of a page, wherein said game sheet comprises a plurality of squares, each square having indicia contained therein; (c) one or more award sheets printed on said exterior face of a page; and (d) a set of rules governing play of the game, wherein a player marks a square upon sighting an indicia described within a square.
 10. The bingo-style travel game of claim 7, wherein each game sheet on the interior face has an award sheet on the exterior face.
 11. The bingo-style travel game of claim 7, further comprising the award of a point to a player who marks a square.
 12. The bingo-style travel game of claim 7, wherein said plurality of squares comprises a grid of five squares by five squares.
 13. The bingo-style travel game of claim 7, further comprising the award of a point to a player who marks five squares in a row.
 14. A bingo-style travel game comprising: (a) a game brochure, having a first side and a second side, wherein said brochure comprises a plurality of folds creating a plurality of pages, each page having an interior and exterior face, wherein said interior face is located on said first side and said exterior face is located on said second side; (b) one or more game sheets printed on said interior face of a page, wherein said game sheet comprises a grid of five squares wide by five squares high, each square having indicia contained therein; (c) one or more award sheets printed on said exterior face of a page; and (d) a set of rules governing play of the game, wherein a player marks a square upon sighting the indicia contained within the square, the player receiving a point for each marked square and an additional point for marking five squares having a character selected from the group consisting of a row, a column, or diagonally, wherein the player receives the award noted on the award sheet upon acquiring a predetermined amount of points. 